We’re pleased to share two opportunities for construction education programs to receive recognition and financial support through the American Institute of Constructors Education Foundation (AICEF).

The Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2027 awards. The Dr. Dennis C. Bausman National Construction Education Program Certification Award recognizes programs that emphasize constructor ethics and professional certification, while the Construction Education Faculty and/or Student Travel Award helps eligible programs support educational travel opportunities for faculty and students.

Both awards reflect values that are important to us at AIC: supporting construction education, encouraging ethical practices, and helping prepare the next generation of professional constructors.

Applications for both awards are due March 1, 2027.

Dr. Dennis C. Bausman National Construction Education Program Certification Award

Preparing students for careers in construction involves more than developing technical knowledge. Understanding professional ethics and the value of certification is also an important part of their education.

The Dr. Dennis C. Bausman National Construction Education Program Certification Award recognizes accredited university construction education programs that share this commitment.

Established through an endowment in memory of Dr. Dennis C. Bausman, the award includes a custom-designed plaque and a $4,000 stipend to support initiatives that help students understand construction ethics and professional certification.

Programs can use the funding for activities such as Certified Associate Constructor (CAC) examination preparation sessions, participation in the AIC Collegiate Ethics Competition, guest presentations on ethics and certification, or collaborative activities that bring students and industry professionals together.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The Bausman Award is open to accredited baccalaureate construction education programs that serve as approved CAC examination sites and actively promote professional ethics and certification.

Eligible programs must:

• Serve as AIC Constructor Certification Commission–approved CAC examination administration sites and administer the examination at least once annually.
• Require or encourage students to take the CAC examination and provide effective preparation.
• Demonstrate efforts to encourage students who pass the examination to complete the certification process.
• Document recent or ongoing initiatives that promote construction ethics and professional certification.

Programs may receive this award only once within a five-year period.

To apply, eligible programs must submit a formal letter on institutional letterhead, limited to four double-spaced typed pages. The letter should explain how the program meets the eligibility requirements, describe how the award funds will be used, and include a commitment to submit a written report within one year of receiving the award.

The letter must be signed by the construction education program head.

Construction Education Faculty and/or Student Travel Award

Opportunities to attend construction competitions, conferences, and professional meetings can be valuable experiences for both faculty and students. These events provide opportunities to learn from others in the industry, exchange ideas, and bring new perspectives back to the classroom.

We’re also pleased to announce the AICEF Construction Education Faculty and/or Student Travel Award, which helps eligible construction education programs support these experiences.

The Foundation offers up to three awards of $2,000 each annually to assist with travel to construction-related events, including student competitions, national construction association meetings, construction education conferences, and professional presentations.

Eligibility and Application Requirements

The Travel Award is available to ABET- or ACCE-accredited associate, baccalaureate, and graduate construction education programs.

Applicants must demonstrate how their programs support AIC’s mission through recent or ongoing initiatives. Examples include encouraging students to take the CAC examination, participating in ethics competitions, and promoting AIC membership among faculty or students.

Eligible programs may receive the award only once every three years.

Applications must include a formal letter on college or university letterhead, limited to three double-spaced pages, signed by the construction education program head.

The letter should describe the program’s qualifications, its AIC-related initiatives, and how the travel funding will support faculty or student professional growth.

Award recipients must also agree to:

• Submit a one- to three-page written report within 60 days of using the award funds, explaining how the funds were spent and the outcomes of the experience.
• Share three social media posts on LinkedIn, Instagram, and one additional appropriate outlet, acknowledging AICEF, identifying the event attended, and describing the educational value gained.

How to Apply for the 2027 AICEF Awards

We encourage eligible construction education programs to take a closer look at both awards and consider which opportunity best aligns with their educational initiatives.

The application deadline for both awards is March 1, 2027. Programs should review the full eligibility and application requirements before submitting their materials.

Each award has a separate submission process.

For questions about either award, please contact Andy Wasiniak at [email protected].

Dr. Dennis C. Bausman Award

Submit the signed application letter to Dr. Roger Liska at [email protected], with a copy to Andy Wasiniak at [email protected].

Construction Education Faculty and/or Student Travel Award

Submit the signed application letter to Andy Wasiniak at [email protected], with a copy to Roger Liska at [email protected]. 

The AIC Education Foundation Trustees review complete applications and select recipients according to the criteria established for each award.

Supporting the Next Generation of Professional Constructors

We appreciate the work construction educators do to introduce students to the responsibilities, opportunities, and professional standards of our industry.

The AIC Education Foundation offers these awards as one way to recognize and support that important work.

We encourage eligible programs to review the award requirements and submit their applications by March 1, 2027.